Nissim Ezekiel

Nissim Ezekiel Biography

Nissim Ezekiel was a doyen of English literature known for the clever use of Indian English as a means to explore the Indian mind and sensibility. His works explodes Indian civilization and tradition at its best. He is regarded as a foundational figure in post-independent India's literary history and is universally accepted as a great poet of 20^th century. His Poetry collection, "Latter-Day Psalms" was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.

He was born on 24 December 1924 in Mumbai to a Botany professor of Wilson College. His mother ran a private school. He belonged to a Jewish family. Noted singer and actor, Nandu Bhende was his nephew. After graduation from Wilson College, Mumbai he started his career as an English teacher. In parallel he concentrated on to his literal career and published many works as well. He also studied philosophy at Birkbeck College, London and had a brief stint in politics too.

Ezekiel's first book, The Bad Day, was published in 1952. His second book – another collection of poems ‘The Deadly Man’ was published in 1960. He also worked as an advertising copywriter and general manager of a picture frame company, before starting the literal magazine - Jumpo, in 1961. Later he became an art critic and has also served as an editor for a few books.

He translated the poems of Indira Sant, and published in 1974 titled - Snakeskin and Other Poems. The Exact Name, Sixty nine poems, The Discovery of India, The Third, The unfinished man, Time to change, Hymns in Darkness and Latter-Day Psalms are his contributions to Indian literature. He was honoured with Padmashri award in 1988.

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Updated: June 19, 2014